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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-03-28Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek, Belgian DMs discuss EU defence policyNational Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis met with his Belgian counterpart Andre Flahaut in Athens on Tuesday for talks that focused on bilateral strategic relations and EU defence policy.Both called for an effective European policy for security and defence and an autonomous EU stance in crisis management that would not be competitive toward NATO. On the funding of rapid reaction forces in the framework of the EU and NATO, Meimarakis reiterated that Greece could not increase its contribution given its economic capabilities but stressed that through the purchase of military equipment from allied European countries, Greece was supporting their economies and at the same time facilitating international operations where needed. He also announced that Greece will contribute to an operation in the Congo by sending one C-130 aircraft. In comments concerning international operations against terrorism, Flahaut noted that Greece and Belgium participated in such operations only when they were certain and convinced that they would be able to fulfil their obligations and their commitments during the year. The two men also referred to the situation in southeastern Europe, as Flahaut praised Greece as a "historical leader in the region that acts with realism". He stressed that the solutions given in the area must be realistic, in the framework of the United Nations and must benefit peace and stability in the region. Caption: Greek Defence Minister Meimarakis, left, and his Belgian counterpart Flahaut address reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in Athens. ANA-MPA / M. Marogianni. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [02] Total solar eclipse visible on isleThe first total solar eclipse visible from Greek territory after decades will come on Wednesday, with residents and visitors to the remote island of Kastellorizo -- southeast of Rhodes and just across from the Turkish resort town of Kas -- able to see the natural phenomenon.A partial solar eclipse will be visible elsewhere in Greece, primary in the Dodecanese islands and Crete, although it will also be partially visible from Athens and Thessaloniki. The last two total solar eclipses in Greece were recorded in 1936 and 1870, whereas the next one is scheduled for far-off 2088. The eclipse will begin in Kastellorizo (ancient Megisti) at 12:34 p.m. and be completed at 3:10 p.m. Caption: A partial solar eclipse, visible from the large island of Crete, is seen in this Oct. 3, 2005 file photo. ANA-MPA / S. Rapanis. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [03] Gov't denies reports of Karadzic in GreeceGovernment spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday flatly dismissed local press reports claiming that Bosnian Serb fugitive Radovan Karadzic, wanted by the UN International Criminal Tribunal at The Hague for alleged war crimes conducted during the Bosnian war in the 1990s, had been given 'refuge' in the east Mediterranean country.The spokesman said that an article carried by the Athens daily 'Avriani' to this effect was a repetition of previous reports, and had been denied by the public order ministry as "utterly groundless". ANA-MPA photo ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |